RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1728 of 2368

A client who drinks alcohol regularly asks if it is safe to take a sedative after having several drinks. Which response by the nurse is correct?

  1. Alcohol and sedatives compete for liver enzymes, so levels of both rise dangerously
  2. Alcohol speeds up the breakdown of the sedative, so its effects wear off sooner
  3. The sedative will work more weakly after alcohol, so a higher dose is safe
  4. The two have no interaction because they belong to different drug classes
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Correct answer: Alcohol and sedatives compete for liver enzymes, so levels of both rise dangerously

Alcohol fills most cytochrome P450 enzymes, so the sedative is poorly metabolized. High levels of both drugs cause enhanced effects.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: Factors Affecting Metabolism. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026